WHARTON — Wharton ISD is asking parents and community members to weigh in on efforts to improve Wharton Junior High after the campus received an unacceptable state accountability rating.
The district has scheduled two public meetings in October as it develops a plan to address student performance. Residents can also share concerns and suggestions through an online survey.
The first meeting will be held Thursday, Oct. 22, at 5 p.m. at Wharton Elementary School, 2030 E. Boling Highway. Parents, students, staff and community members are invited to help shape the junior high’s improvement plan.
According to the district’s Oct. 22 meeting notice, Wharton Junior High must develop a comprehensive plan because it has been federally identified as needing Targeted Support.
WISD says its improvement team has prepared a draft using a local needs assessment, feedback from a September parent meeting and responses to its school improvement survey. The upcoming meeting gives additional residents an opportunity to contribute.
Texas Education Agency guidance describes targeted support as an identification involving consistently underperforming student groups. The agency uses its Closing the Gaps accountability measures to identify campuses needing that support.
The district’s meeting notices do not identify which student groups or specific performance measures led to Wharton Junior High’s designation.
A required public hearing will follow Thursday, Oct. 29, at 6 p.m. in the WISD boardroom, 2100 N. Fulton St.
According to the Oct. 29 hearing notice, that meeting will address the junior high’s insufficient performance, take public comments and discuss intervention measures or sanctions that could apply if performance does not improve.
The notice does not specify which measures or sanctions could apply to the campus.
Residents can also participate through the district’s school improvement survey, which asks about academic expectations, help for struggling students and efforts to close performance gaps.
Respondents can select up to five priorities for the next two years, including reading, mathematics, attendance, behavior, family involvement and support for students receiving special education services or learning English.
The survey also asks which approaches could most improve achievement. Options include individual academic support, small-group instruction, stronger reading and math interventions, teacher training, mentoring, counseling and extended learning opportunities.
These are options for public feedback, rather than a list of changes the district has already approved. Residents can also explain what WISD does well and what it needs to do better.
Those unable to attend can complete the survey or provide input to Molli Bodungen, district coordinator of school improvement, at mbodungen@whartonisd.net or 979-488-2035.
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